Tips for Visitors

Plan your visit to Longmont, Colorado with essential tips for high altitude, packing advice, and responsible travel. Stop by the Longmont Visitor Center for maps, guides, and more.

Elevation

At an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, Longmont, Colorado, offers breathtaking views and plenty of outdoor activities. However, the higher altitude means your body may need time to adjust, especially if you're arriving from lower elevations. To make your trip as comfortable as possible, follow these simple tips:

Take it slow. Let your body acclimate by spending the first couple of days at lower altitudes before heading into the mountains.
Hydrate. Colorado’s dry air requires you to drink more water than usual, so be sure to start increasing your water intake before your trip.
Pace yourself. Avoid overexertion and limit alcohol, caffeine, and smoking, which can make altitude adjustment more difficult.
Pack essentials. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip balm, as the higher elevation means you’re closer to the sun, increasing your risk of sunburn even in cooler months.
Dress in layers. Colorado’s weather can be unpredictable, so bring clothing that can easily be layered to accommodate changing temperatures.

If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, or shortness of breath, consider resting and moving to a lower elevation if necessary.

What to pack

What to Pack for Longmont Colorado’s unique climate and rugged terrain mean you’ll want to come prepared. A solid packing list: sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, sturdy shoes, and versatile clothing layers. If you plan to explore Longmont’s outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, or visiting hot springs, it’s wise to bring a lightweight fleece or vest, a rain jacket, and a day pack for carrying your essentials.

Visitor Center

Stop by the Longmont Visitor Center Your first stop in Longmont should be the Longmont Visitor Center, located at 320 Main Street in Downtown Longmont. We provide visitors with maps, brochures, and information about Longmont’s attractions, dining, and events. You can even pick up some souvenirs to remember your visit. Be sure to pin where you're visiting from on our world map!

Visitor Center Hours:

Monday-Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles

Visit Longmont is a Proud member of the Care for Colorado Coalition.

The Care for Colorado Leave No Trace Principles were created in partnership between the Colorado Tourism Office and the Leave No Trace organization to address recreation-related impacts in Colorado. Learn more about the Care for Colorado Coalition.

Know Before You Go

Almost half of Colorado is public land. Learn about the area you plan to visit before adventuring out so you can enjoy and help protect the spaces we all share.
Colorado’s weather and scenic terrain is stunning but can change drastically. Check conditions before you depart, pack layers, sun protection and rain gear, wear appropriate footwear ... and enjoy your trip.
Journey to places with minimal crowds to maximize your connection with the great outdoors. Have a backup plan in case the parking lot at your original destination is full.
Pack reusable water bottles to stay hydrated, limit waste and save money.

Stick to Trails

Embrace the adventure as intended by only walking on designated trails — even if it's wet, muddy, slushy or icy. This will help avoid erosion and protect the homes of local wildlife.
Shortcuts and that perfect selfie can be tempting, but staying on the path will decrease your risk of injury and protect trailside plants.
Camping? Set up in one of thousands of designated campsites in Colorado. They boast some of the most scenic views and protect the landscapes. And remember to camp at least 200 feet from waterways to leave space for wildlife.

Leave It As You Find It

Enjoy discovering plants? Rocks? Historical and cultural items? Be sure to leave them as you found them so everyone can experience the joy of discovery.
Colorado has more than 2,000 different species of wildflowers, all with their own unique part to play in our ecosystem. Admire their beauty by taking a photo, not a flower.
Cleaning boots, bike tires and water crafts before and after every outing not only makes your gear last longer, it prevents the spread of harmful invasive species.
Colorado’s trees give us beautiful leaf peeping photos, shade on summer days, unmatched ski runs and, of course, oxygen (which at this altitude, is a big help). But the smallest carving can kill or disfigure them.

Trash the Trash

Pack in the beautiful views by packing out the trash and leaving a place better than you found it. And make sure not to forget the peels and cores. Just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean it’s good for the wildlife.
No bathroom around? No worries. Be prepared with a disposable WAG bag (found in most outdoor stores), and conveniently pack out your waste. Alternatively, find privacy 70 steps from water and the trail, dig a 6- to 8-inch hole and then bury your business.

Be Careful With Fire

Build the perfect Colorado campfire (and avoid sparking a wildfire) by first making sure campfires are allowed in the area. Then, keep them small, manageable and attended. When it’s time to extinguish, make sure the embers are cold to the touch to avoid reigniting a flame.
Buy or gather firewood locally; it’ll save you space in your car, plus it prevents the introduction of any invasive species like the destructive pine beetle.
Use care when smoking anything (and we do mean anything) in Colorado’s dry climate. One of the biggest causes of fires are discarded butts.

Keep Wildlife Wild

Colorado is home to tens of thousands of furry, scaly and feathered creatures. To keep them — and you — safe, make sure to keep you (and your dog’s) distance. And if you’re ever unsure, follow the rule of thumb: If you can cover the entire animal with your thumb, you’re at a safe distance.
Everyone loves the smell of bacon (not just humans). So always store food, trash and anything with a scent in bear proof lockers, canisters or secured vehicles. This will protect you and prevent wildlife from being exposed to behavior changes, predators or even euthanasia.

Share Our Trails & Parks

Everyone experiences and enjoys the outdoors in different ways. Be mindful of your group's noise level so everyone can appreciate our shared spaces.
Yield to the uphill hiker and biker — they need the momentum. Wheelchair users and equestrians always have the right of way.

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